Nature study doesn’t have to be far from our own surroundings. While I was making lunch today, the boys went salamander hunting in the backyard. It was a successful search. Mama and baby salamanders under the big rocks scarlet pimpernel growing in the grass Mexican sage Butterfly bush (with pretty bougainvillea in the background) attracting […]
Botany in the Backyard Read More »
Isn’t Spring just beautiful in all her ways? Artichoke Thistle (Cynara cardunculus) Prickly Pear (Opuntia) Some type of Cicada Golden Star (Blumeria crocea) California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) Vista Point Santiago Peak, Santa Ana Mountains, Orange County Elevation 5687ft Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja) Vernal Pool Vernal Pool reflecting bright yellow Black Mustard Black Mustard (Brassica nigra) Black
Beautiful California Spring Read More »
A friend brought me these tulips. Aren’t they lovely? We might expect that the Lady Tulip would be a stately flower, if we should consider her history. She made her way into Europe from the Orient during the sixteenth century, bringing with her the honor of being the chosen flower of Persia, where her colors
But much may be done with sparrows. A friend writes: — “Have you seen the man in the gardens of Tuileries feeding and talking to dozens of them? They sit on his hat, his hands, and feed from his fingers. When he raises his arms they all flutter up and then settle again on him
The Man in The Gardens Read More »
If you live locally, you’re going to love me for this post. This past month, the Lord, in all His wisdom and grace has providentially, pointed us to the most fantastic little nature outing! You will never believe this place exists in OC. And the best part is that there are NO RANGERS to tell
Fossils in the Creek Read More »
Object-lessons should be incidental; and this is where the family enjoys so great an advantage over the school. It is almost impossible that the school should give any but set lessons; but this sort of teaching in the family falls in with the occurrence of the object. The child who finds that wonderful and beautiful
Enjoying So Great An Advantage Read More »
Is it just me… or does the Handbook of Nature Study give you the impression that an effective teacher ought to collect things for the children’s classroom… living things, for the sake of observation and learning? Surely the instructions on how to create a pond aquarium or a small animal trap are for the reader’s
Interesting Collections Read More »
Nature teaches so gently, so gradually, so persistently, that he is never overdone, but goes on gathering little stores of knowledge about whatever comes before him. ~Charlotte Mason We are blessed to have a Charlotte Mason group here in Southern California. From what I understand, we are a rare breed. I often find myself feeling
“This fine Maple, with its hard wood, its beautiful autumnal colors- red and yellow and orange- and its sweet sap, is the close western relative of the famed Sugar Maple of the eastern states. If it were as abundant as the true Sugar Maple and grew as accessibly, it would doubtless be an important hardwood
Our Tree Trip in Utah Read More »
The kids came up to me this morning jumping up and down with excitement saying, “Rain!! Rain!! It’s Raining!!” They immediately headed for the closet where the dusty umbrellas were and headed outside to play. Oh to be so filled with elation at the simplest things and to be able to express it so freely